Minnesota Nonpoint Source Management Program Plan (NSMPP)

The United States Congress enacted Section 319 of the federal Clean Water Act (CWA) in 1987, establishing a national program to control nonpoint sources (NPS) of water pollution. Rainfall or snowmelt moving over and through the ground carrying natural and human-made pollutants into lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands and ground water causes nonpoint source pollution. Atmospheric deposition and hydrologic modification are also sources of nonpoint source pollution.

The State of Minnesota Nonpoint Source Management Program Plan (NSMPP) is a requirement for Minnesota to remain eligible to receive NPS grant funds from the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) under Section 319 of the CWA. However, the NSMPP is intended to reach beyond this purpose by setting Minnesota's Statewide NPS goals and layout out a statewide multi-year approach for addressing water quality problems from NPS pollution. Also, the NSMPP provides guidance on NPS issues for consideration by federal, state and local governmental units in other NPS planning efforts. Nonpoint source water pollution control proposals must be cited in this document to be considered for Section 319 funding.

•  2008 Minnesota Nonpoint Source Management Program Plan

For more information

David L. Johnson
Watershed Section
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
520 Lafayette Road N.
St. Paul, MN 55155-4194
651-757-2470
david.l.johnson@state.mn.us